Submental fullness (or the “double chin”) is influenced by genetics, aging and weight gain in men and women. Kybella is a groundbreaking, non-invasive treatment for this stubborn fat. In the past, the only effective options for reducing fat under the chin were surgical procedures or liposuction; however, now this fat can be eliminated through a series of simple injections. Kybella consists of deoxycholic acid, a naturally-occurring molecule found in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into fat under the chin, Kybella causes the destruction of fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat. Patients will begin to see results in the following 6-8 weeks after their treatment.

Jowls, marionette lines, and poor jawline definition are routinely a source of complaint for patients who state that they look older than they feel. The root cause of jowling, marionette lines (a.k.a. puppet lines) and those lacking jawline definition is the same: a combination of saggy facial skin descended facial fat, and loss of collagen. Plastic surgery is often a great, long-term option for patients’ aiming to target these concerns, however with the advancement in non-surgical cosmetic treatments, patients have options if surgery just isn’t for them.

At Pūr Skin Clinic, we like to take a holistic approach when treating the lower face. First, we often recommend starting with toning and tightening the skin. Using non-invasive techniques, such as Ultherapy and Thermage, patients can stimulate collagen to offer a subtle lift to the skin of the lower face and at the same time preventing more sagging from occurring in the future.

Very commonly we use dermal fillers to restore the youthful contours of the face. By adding dermal fillers, such as Voluma, to the midface, we can deliver a lift to the lower face and at the same time adding subtle volume to sunken cheeks that occur with age. Fine-tuning areas such as the marionette lines can be done effectively with products such as Juvederm with results that can last up to 1 year.

Wrinkles around the lips (a.k.a. “smoker lines”) are caused by a combination of factors such as loss of collagen, thinning skin, and the constant motion of the underlying muscles. One way to improve these wrinkles is to use a tiny bit of Botox. A very small amount of Botox is injected just under the skin to soften the muscles that are activated when a person makes a “puckering” or “kissy” face. Used at the proper dosing, Botox will not affect lip motion but will do a great job of diminishing or eliminating these pesky wrinkles.

Laser resurfacing is also a great option for deep-set wrinkles of the upper lip. The Fractionated Laser targets both the surface and the deeper layers of the skin for a smoother, fresher, younger-looking appearance and is great for peri-oral wrinkles. This laser promotes collagen stimulation, thereby smoothing out deeper wrinkles, with limited downtime.

To find out if you are a candidate for any of these treatments, please contact Pūr Skin Clinic for a consultation customized for your needs.